In this short film, Paul Symington describes the way his company have pioneered the use of mechanical foottreaders (also known as robotic lagares) for Port production. It’s not straighforward: Port…
Video: the spectacular Quinta dos Malvedos in the Douro, Portugal
A film from my recent Douro visit. It’s Graham’s spectacular Quinta dos Malvedos, shot the day before harvest began. For more on Malvedos, take a look at the superb Graham’s…
Historical pictures from the Douro
While I was staying in the Douro last week, I had a chance to see some historical pictures from the first decade of the last century. I’ve posted them online…
Video: foot treading grapes in the Douro
So here’s a film of foot treading at Quinta do Vesuvio, one of the Symington’s properties in the Douro. It’s amazing to think that many of the top Port wines…
More pictures from the Douro
Just back from the Douro, on a trip visiting the Symington family’s properties. It’s always good to be in the Douro, and especially so at harvest time. It hasn’t been…
A few quick pics from the Douro at harvest time
Some pictures from yesterday. Great time of year to be in the Douro with vintage just starting.
Sousao is not a teinturier variety
OK, a bit of geeky viticultural stuff. I’d always been told that Portuguese variety Sousao was a teinturier: a grape with coloured flesh. Normally red grapes have all their pigment…
Some traditional Portuguese food and Graham 1980
I’m in sunny Porto, heading off to the Douro today where vintage 2011 is just starting. So, snatching a few minutes on free wifi (all hotels should offer this) in…
The blue plaque of the Marquês de Pombal
Spotted today while walking through London: a blue plaque commemorating the location of the Portuguese embassy back in the 18th century, and the residence of the Marquês de Pombal while…